It is no longer possible, if it ever was, to pretend that what's been going in the Beaumont ISD is "politics." Or a misunderstanding, or a battle of old vs. new. When the FBI stages an early morning raid on your administration building, you have a problem. A huge problem.

Last week's raid, along with electrician Calvin Walker's case and the endless, costly legal battles that plagued the district, remove any lingering doubt that the district needs major changes. This is beyond embarrassing. It's shameful, and everyone connected with the district should be angry and disgusted about it.

Oh, and as if all this weren't bad enough, the FBI raid took place less than a week after investigators from the Texas Education Agency were probing the district. Incredible.

If the school board can get the district back on track, and frankly that's not certain, there's only one way. Ironically, it would be through the openness and transparency that new president Gwen Ambres promises.

If she produces that, and follows words with deeds, the district can start on a long journey back toward normalcy. But if the pledges are not sincere, taxpayers will see through that immediately. There is simply no substitute for true accountability.

Trustees and administrators also need to realize that this turmoil has to end. It diverts time and money that should be devoted to educating kids, and as such it's unacceptable. It's time they understood this and resolved to do whatever is necessary to stop lurching from one crisis to another.

If they can't or won't, the only reasonable alternative is a state takeover.